ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad: Mohsin Naqvi's attendance in doubt amid India-Pakistan tensions
Synopsis
The ICC Board meeting has moved from Doha to Ahmedabad — and now PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi may not show up. The Asia Cup trophy standoff, where India reportedly refused to accept the title from Naqvi and the silverware remains in Dubai, has pushed BCCI-PCB relations to a new low, turning a routine governance meeting into a diplomatic flashpoint.
Key Takeaways
The ICC Board meeting is scheduled for 30–31 May 2026 in Ahmedabad , relocated from Doha, Qatar due to the West Asia crisis.
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi's attendance is uncertain amid escalating India-Pakistan political and cricketing tensions.
The ICC chief executives' committee will meet virtually on 21 May ahead of the in-person board session.
Relations soured further after the Asia Cup in Dubai , where the Indian team reportedly declined to accept the winner's trophy from Naqvi.
The Asia Cup trophy is reportedly still in Dubai on Naqvi's orders; the BCCI has taken the matter to the ICC .
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi's attendance at the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) Board meeting in Ahmedabad is uncertain, according to reports, as deepening political and cricketing tensions between India and Pakistan cast a shadow over the high-stakes gathering scheduled for 30–31 May 2026.
Meeting Details and Venue Change
The ICC's quarterly meetings were originally planned for Doha, Qatar, in March and April, but were relocated to India following the continuing crisis in West Asia. The ICC chief executives' committee will convene virtually on 21 May, while the in-person ICC Board meeting is set for 30 and 31 May in Ahmedabad — coinciding with the final weekend of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Why Naqvi's Participation Is Uncertain
Under normal circumstances, Naqvi would represent Pakistan at the ICC Board meeting in person. However, the combination of escalating political tensions between the two nations and a sharp deterioration in relations between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the PCB has made his travel to India questionable, according to reports.
Notably, relations between Naqvi and the BCCI are said to have been strained since he assumed charge of the PCB. Naqvi also serves concurrently as Pakistan's federal interior minister and president of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), adding a diplomatic dimension to any potential visit.
The Asia Cup Trophy Incident
The friction between the two boards reportedly escalated following an awkward episode at the conclusion of the recent Asia Cup in Dubai. After India clinched the title, the Indian team apparently declined to accept the winner's trophy from Naqvi at the presentation ceremony. Naqvi, presiding as ACC president, is said to have left the stadium with the trophy and medals.
The silverware is reportedly still in Dubai on Naqvi's orders. The BCCI has since requested its return and, according to reports, escalated the matter to the ICC — further straining an already fraught relationship.
What Happens Next
The ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad carries significant agenda items for global cricket governance. Whether Naqvi attends in person, joins virtually, or sends an alternate representative could shape the tone of India-Pakistan cricket diplomacy in the months ahead. The situation remains fluid, and no official confirmation from either the PCB or the ICC has been reported as of 16 May 2026.
Point of View
It has become a proxy battleground for India-Pakistan relations. The Asia Cup trophy episode — petty in isolation — signals how completely the institutional guardrails between the BCCI and PCB have collapsed. Naqvi's dual role as Pakistan's interior minister and ACC president makes his attendance politically loaded in a way that has no precedent in recent ICC history. If he skips, Pakistan risks ceding influence at a board table where decisions on future bilateral tours, hosting rights, and revenue shares will be made. If he attends, it requires a level of diplomatic management that neither board appears currently willing to provide.
NationPress
17 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the ICC Board meeting in May 2026 being held?
The ICC Board meeting is scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. The venue was changed from Doha, Qatar, where meetings had originally been planned for March and April, due to the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
Why is Mohsin Naqvi's attendance at the ICC Board meeting uncertain?
Naqvi's participation is uncertain because of escalating political tensions between India and Pakistan and a sharp deterioration in relations between the BCCI and the PCB. His concurrent role as Pakistan's federal interior minister adds a diplomatic layer that complicates any visit to India.
What happened at the Asia Cup that strained BCCI-PCB relations?
After India won the Asia Cup in Dubai, the Indian team reportedly declined to accept the winner's trophy from Naqvi, who was presiding as Asian Cricket Council president. Naqvi is said to have left the stadium with the trophy and medals, which reportedly remain in Dubai on his orders. The BCCI has requested their return and raised the matter with the ICC.
Will the ICC chief executives' meeting also be affected?
The ICC chief executives' committee meeting on 21 May will be held virtually, so Naqvi's travel to India is not required for that session. The uncertainty centres specifically on the in-person board meeting on 30–31 May in Ahmedabad.
What is the significance of the ICC Board meeting in Ahmedabad?
The ICC Board meeting covers key governance decisions for global cricket, including matters related to hosting rights, bilateral tours, and revenue sharing. Any absence by the PCB chairman could affect Pakistan's influence over decisions that directly impact its cricketing and financial interests.
